Ow that hurts so bad I'm really crying right now since I live vicariously through a tennis player just like you do.

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2004
While practicing with Robby Ginepri for the Masters event in Rome, he broke his neck when he slipped on the clay and collided with the net post. In July his father died as a result of stomach cancer. At the same time Blake developed shingles, which temporarily paralyzed half his face and blurred his sight.

Taken for Wikipedia.

It takes someone with serious heart to be able to comeback and do what he did. I enjoy watching him play, and will miss him when he is gone.

Poor Almagro and Verdasco have the Nadal jynx, there's no avoiding him, in Murray's quarter any of them could have easily made semis and racked up a few points.

Rafa's draw is packed, but he should pull through. Tricky quarter for Fed and Sod, Wawa, Gulbis and Monty may be also contenders for a QF post. Djoker vs Ferrer should battle for the 3rd semi. Murray's quarter should be simply dismissed outright from the tournament as a whole, what a joke.

I am a Nadal fan and I can say that he got a clown draw. I wouldn't change it for Federer's in a million years. Old man Hewitt, Gonzo coming back from injury, slumping Djoker, exhausted Verdasco and not to forget "king of clay" Roddick.

I am a Nadal fan and I can say that he got a clown draw. I wouldn't change it for Federer's in a million years. Old man Hewitt, Gonzo coming back from injury, slumping Djoker, exhausted Verdasco and not to forget "king of clay" Roddick.

Jeez I can't believe that people here are arguing about Rafito getting a tough draw!!! Who is this imaginary tough opponent in his draw?? I was hoping Soderling or Gulbis would whoop his *** but fortunately for Nadal, Fed will take care of both for him & will probably get his *** kicked by Nadal in the finals instead!

This is a cakewalk draw for Nadal because all the big hitters (i.e. players that are a bad matchup for Nadal) are on Fed's half...

Federer is his biggest threat but Murray leads the head to head 6-5, I think Murray will have a slight advantage. Gulbis will have nerves if he gets that far, so Murray will have the advantage. Soderling had one great tournament last year, he needs to prove himself further inorder to consider him as a major threat.

As I see it, it's just Federer in his way and Murray will have his chances against him, if he plays to his potential.

Federer is his biggest threat but Murray leads the head to head 6-5, I think Murray will have a slight advantage. Gulbis will have nerves if he gets that far, so Murray will have the advantage. Soderling had one great tournament last year, he needs to prove himself further inorder to consider him as a major threat.

As I see it, it's just Federer in his way and Murray will have his chances against him, if he plays to his potential.

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LOL ! are you serious ?

You can be funny at times - I remember you saying fed will take out murray in straights at the AO { which is what happened } ( slow HC - on which murray is far better than on clay ) and you expect murray to have a slight advantage vs federer on clay where murray is far worse ??

You can be funny at times - I remember you saying fed will take out murray in straights at the AO { which is what happened } ( slow HC - on which murray is far better than on clay ) and you expect murray to have a slight advantage vs federer on clay where murray is far worse ??

oh and that time H2H was 6-4 in muzza's favour !

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Federer was playing at a very high level at the AO, so I was objective then. Federer isn't playing as good tennis at the moment and Murray can capitalize on that. Despite hard court being Murray's best surface, his defense on clay, could cause lots of problems to Federer. I think people underestimate Murray a lot.

so last year's draw with Nadal in the 4th, was easier? This is the time for him to prove it wasn't a fluke. He needs to get to the final if he wants to see Nadal again.

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I'm not saying it was, but it actually had some good matchups for Soderling's playingstyle. I was just pointing out that with his relatively bad form and this draw, he will probably lose a lot of points.

For instance, look at Tsongas draw. An animal would reach the quarters.

His toughest match of the tournament until the F: 3rd round against Monfils.

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Monfils has proven the past 2 years he cannot and will not beat Fed in a slam, even w/ the entire French Army behind him. Wawrinka is a mental midget in slams, hell I'd be surprised if he even reached Monfils. Gulbis may be a test, but realistically will not beat Fed in a slam, doesn't have the mentality at this stage. And Tsonga on clay?

Like I said in the other thread, I fully expect a Fed/Nadal final 2 weeks from now. JMDP and Davy, who could've caused intrigue if healthy, are both out, Djoker's out of form, and Muzza's not up to snuff on clay. Verdasco's burning himself out playing meaningless 250 this week. All signs point to a Fed/Nadal final.

Monfils has proven the past 2 years he cannot and will not beat Fed in a slam, even w/ the entire French Army behind him. Wawrinka is a mental midget in slams, hell I'd be surprised if he even reached Monfils. Gulbis may be a test, but realistically will not beat Fed in a slam, doesn't have the mentality at this stage. And Tsonga on clay?

Like I said in the other thread, I fully expect a Fed/Nadal final 2 weeks from now. JMDP and Davy, who could've caused intrigue if healthy, are both out, Djoker's out of form, and Muzza's not up to snuff on clay. Verdasco's burning himself out playing meaningless 250 this week. All signs point to a Fed/Nadal final.

His toughest match of the tournament until the F: 4th round against Monfils.

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no draw is tough for federer remember, he always reaches at least the semis. but imo this is going to be a nadal federer final without a doubt even though im hoping federer's semi-final streak is broken.